What Will The Cavaliers Roster Look Like In 2016/2017?

Cleveland Cavaliers fans are still in a blissful state, having witnessed a historic NBA Finals victory that was one for the ages! What the fans don’t need - by any means - is a negative take from national media members. What will the Cavaliers roster look like next season?

With LeBron James opting out of his contract that will allow him to sign a higher priced contract for the 2016/2017 season, many national media members have started the “LeBron will leave Cleveland” rhetoric. If they had been paying attention on parade day, they would have heard it from LeBron’s very mouth “I love it here in Cleveland. I have no intentions of leaving.”

With that being said, questions arise about how the team’s roster will look for next season as the Cavaliers look to defend their NBA championship.

Things we know about who will be back:

1.) Kyrie Irving is signed for four more seasons.

2.) Kevin Love is signed for four more seasons.

3.) Tristan Thompson is signed for five more seasons.

4.) Channing Frye will be back with two seasons left on his deal.

5.) Iman Shumpert is signed for three more seasons.

6.) Mo Williams has opted into the final season of his two-year deal.

7.) Jordan McRae has been retained for next season.

8.) Sasha Kaun is signed for one more season.

9.) Dahntay Jones is signed for one more season.

Things we expect to happen:

1.) LeBron James will sign another 2-year deal with a player option in 2nd year ($27.5 million for 1st year)

2.) Richard Jefferson is expected to re-sign with the team for at least one more season.

3.) J.R. Smith will return with a more player friendly contract (he earned it right?)

4.) Matthew Dellevadova will most likely get an offer from another team that the Cavs cannot afford.

5.) Timofey Mozgov will more than likely move on as he is a free agent (unless he accepts less money).

6.) James Jones will be back for another season at veteran’s minimum salary (can you say 7-straight NBA Finals?).

Things that are up in the air:
1.) Kay Felder (Cavaliers’ 2016 2nd round pick) will spend time with both the Cavs and their D-League affiliate Canton Charge. He is a high-scoring (although undersized - think Isaiah Thomas of the Celtics) floor general who can distribute the ball and has good handles as well. If Delly is priced out of the Cavs’ reach, expect Felder to get some playing time, but as the 2nd PG off the bench behind Mo Williams.

2.) With the Cavs possibly parting with Mosgov, who can they bring in for the taxpayer mid-level exception ($3.47 million)? With today’s salary cap exploding near $94 million next season, it will be hard to get a real difference-making player. Teams above the luxury tax threshold can use the full mid-level exception, but doing so places a hard cap on their salaries for that year. With that hard cap in effect, the team would be prohibited from signing any player for any reason… no veteran minimum deals, no ten-day contracts for injury replacements, nothing.

3.) Does anyone really believe that LeBron can coax Dwyane Wade to Cleveland, passing on big money the Miami Heat can offer? No? I didn’t think so.

With the Cavaliers looking to keep their team intact and make another run at a championship, little movement will be seen during free agency. But with another season under their belts, isn’t it just a given that the chemistry will continue and the team will be even better, having a full training camp under head coach Tyronn Lue. Will Lue get the big contract this year? Are you all-in?

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